U-T NFL Mock Draft 2013: Chargers target O-line, cornerback

The draft order is starting to take shape. The 2013 draft class has a lot of talent, but is lacking "elite" prospects at the skill positions. After their fourth straight loss, all that's left of the Chargers 2012 season is figuring out their draft position.

There's no doubt their positions of need. The offensive line has been riddled with apathy and injuries. Current general manager A.J. Smith has yet to take an offensive lineman in the first round during his almost decade-long reign.

In fact, he's only selected a lineman in the second round once: Tackle Marcus McNeill 50th overall in 2006. 10 of the 15 lineman Smith has drafted, were chosen in the fifth round or later.

It's been more than a quarter of a century since the Bolts selected USC tackle James FitzPatrick with the 13th pick of the 1986 draft.

With QB-needy Kansas City currently slotted as the top pick, I still have West Virginia's Geno Smith penciled-in as the top pick, but I believe that will change once we get into Pro Day and combine season.

The one position this year's first round could feature an extraordinary bounty of is defensive linemen. That appears to be the position valued more by NFL teams than any other after quarterback.

The selection order below is not official but is based on the current won/loss records in the NFL and is adjusted weekly. Here's our second version of the 2013 NFL Mock Draft.

Happy mocking.

ROUND ONE

1) Kansas City (2-10) -- Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia, Sr.

There's no doubt the Chiefs need a quarterback and Smith is currently the highest rated signal caller on most draft boards. I don't expect him to remain there though. The major question surrounding this draft: Is there a franchise quarterback who deserves to be taken this high? I don't believe so. Personally, I'd take Georgia defensive end Jarvis Jones, Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o or Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel and select a QB at the beginning of round two.
Top needs:
QB, OL.

2) Jacksonville (2-10) -- Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia, Jr.

Health has been an issue for Jones, but when he's on the field, he showcases the same attributes that make Von Miller nearly unstoppable.
Top needs:
LB, QB.

3) Carolina (3-9) -- Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah, Sr.

Carolina hasn't used a top-50 selection on a defensive tackle since Kris Jenkins over a decade ago. Ironically, the Panthers defensive line has been a question mark since Jenkins left in 2008. This mammoth -- 6-4, 325 lbs -- clogs up the middle of the field while still creating his own push. He reminds me of Haloti Ngata. Linebackers Jon Beason and Thomas Davis will be pleased.
Top needs:
DT.

4) Oakland (3-9) -- Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State, Jr.

The Raiders have a lot of beef on their defensive line, but need to add more speed to get after the quarterback. They rank 31st in the league in sacks (11). Werner showcased his dominance against Florida, with 3.5 sacks. He finds a way to disrupt, either as a rusher or by constantly knocking down passes. Werner has one of the highest ceilings in this draft.
Top needs:
QB, LB, CB, DL.

5) Philadelphia (3-9) -- Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M, Jr.

The Eagles currently possess the one offensive line I consider worse than the Chargers. If their future quarterback -- it likely won't be Michael Vick -- has any chance at all, the O-line has to be a priority. Joeckel's performance against Alabama and LSU cemented him as the top offensive lineman.
Top needs:
OL, DL.

6) Cleveland (4-8) -- Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame, Sr.

The Browns are well-aware what a Ray Lewis-like presence can do for a defense. Many teams are using matchup-nightmare tight ends, so linebackers who can cover them are a much needed commodity. Te'o was second in the nation with seven interceptions this season. His instincts, passion and leadership are unmatched in this draft.
Top needs:
OL, LB.

7) Detroit (4-8) -- Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan, Jr.

The Lions top priority is to keep Matthew Stafford healthy. Jeff Backus -- also a Wolverine -- isn't going to play forever, and Lewan would make a great bookend for Riley Reiff. Lewan has elite athleticism for the position.
Top needs:
CB, OL.

8) Arizona (4-8) -- Matt Barkley, QB, USC, Sr.

The pressure here is going to be too high for the Cardinals to not take a quarterback. Consider Barkley a placeholder for now. I expect Arkansas' Tyler Wilson, Georgia's Aaron Murray or Tennessee's Tyler Bray to all climb up draft boards after the new year.
Top needs:
QB, OL.

9) San Diego (4-8) -- Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M, Jr.

The Chargers should alternate between offensive lineman and cornerback the first four rounds of the draft. Everyone's talent and durability on the current offensive line has to be questioned at this point. Who better to right the wrongs at left turnstile -- um, I mean tackle -- than the son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews? He played strong-side for the Aggies because of Joeckel's immense talent, but like his father, he can play virtually anywhere. There were some naysayers in the comments of our first mock. Trust me, Matthews is the truth. He's a natural left tackle and it's a testament to his all-around ability he was able to master the right side after deferring to Joeckel. All NFL fans should know not to doubt the Matthews bloodline.
Top needs:
OL, CB.

10) Tennessee (4-8) -- Jonathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State, Jr.

If the Titans ever hope to slow down Arian Foster and compete in the AFC South, they need a man in the middle. Hankins is really hard to move, has great lateral movement and eats up blocks.
Top needs:
DT, OL.

11) Buffalo (5-7) -- Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee, Jr.

Patterson, a JUCO transfer with just half a season of FBS experience, has flashed breath-taking athleticism as a receiver, runner and returner for the Vols. He's currently the No. 1 wide receiver on Mel Kiper Jr.'s Big Board. The Bills need someone to take coverage away from Steve Johnson.
Top needs:
WR.

12) N.Y. Jets (5-7) -- Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M, Jr.

The loss of Darrelle Revis exposed the Jets lack of a pass rush. Moore, who has starred as a pass-rushing linebacker and traditional defensive end for the Aggies, leads the SEC with 12.5 sacks and the country with 20 tackles for loss.
Top needs:
DE, OLB.

13) Miami (5-7) -- Keenan Allen, WR, California, Jr.

Brian Hartline and Davone Bess are serviceable receivers, but they've only combined for two touchdowns this season. Allen has the perfect blend of size and speed. He'd instantly become Ryan Tannehill's No. 1 receiving threat.
Top needs:
WR.

14) New Orleans (5-7) -- Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU, Jr.

The Saints need help all over their defensive depth chart. Mingo disappears for stretches, but he's beyond gifted athletically. He'd be the perfect stand-up edge rusher at the next level.
Top needs:
DL, LB, CB.

Warmack is a future perennial Pro Bowler and Top 10 talent who only falls because he's an interior lineman. The Rams desperately need an upgrade to their offensive front.
Top needs:
OL, WR.

16) St. Louis (5-6-1) -- Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee, Jr.

At 6-4, Hunter would provide a true No. 1 WR option for franchise quarterback Sam Bradford. He and Chris Givens would give the Rams two young dynamic receivers who could strike from anywhere on the field.
Top needs:
OL, WR.

17) Minnesota (6-6) -- Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor, Sr.

The Vikings have to add more talent to complement Christian Ponder. They need an upgrade across from Percy Harvin, as Jerome Simpson is way too inconsistent to be a No. 2 receiver. Williams has 4.4 speed and has been beyond prolific. He has yet to have a game with less than 80 receiving yards this season and has found the end zone in eight of 11 contests.
Top needs:
WR, CB.

18) Tampa Bay (6-6) -- Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama, Jr.

The Buccaneers really need cornerback help, especially in the wake of the Aqib Talib trade. They drafted Alabama safety Mark Barron in April, so maybe his teammate will be the remedy to their porous pass defense . Milliner could go anywhere from the Top 10 to here. Missouri's Sheldon Richardson or LSU's Sam Montgomery are options here if they go defensive line.
Top needs:
DL, CB.

19) Dallas (6-6) -- Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina, Sr.

Cooper is powerful and quick for his size (6-3, 302). He moves extremely well, which allows him to beat defenders to spots, make his block and get downfield. The Cowboys need more holes for DeMarco Murray. There's also an outside chance they take a quarterback.
Top needs:
OL.

20) Cincinnati (7-5) -- Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU, Jr.

The Bengals have to find pass-rushing help on the outside, especially with Michael Johnson set to hit free agency. Montgomery has been regarded as one of the most dominant ends in the SEC for the past two seasons.
Top needs:
S, DL.

21) Seattle (7-5) -- Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia, Sr.

At 5-9, 172, Austin doesn't fit every offense but with a running game as dominant as Seattle's, the Percy Harvin clone could be a terror in the slot for the Seahawks.
Top needs:
WR.

22) Pittsburgh (7-5) -- Alex Okafor, DE/OLB, Texas, Sr.

James Harrison may not be back next year. He's due $6.6 million as a 35-year-old who is having trouble staying healthy. Okafor was perhaps the single biggest matchup problem in the Big 12 this season. His stats over 11 games: 60 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, eight sacks, 18 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and one blocked kick.
Top needs:
DL, LB.

23) N.Y. Giants (7-5) -- Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU, Sr.

With Osi Umenyiora entering free agency this March and Justin Tuck having a down year, general manager Jerry Reese may select a defensive end at the end of the first round. Ansah, a native of Ghana who has only been playing football for three years, boasts a combination of size, athleticism and upside that some have compared to that of Jason Pierre-Paul. There's a scary thought.
Top needs:
DL, DB.

24) Indianapolis (8-4) -- Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State, Sr.

Having surrendered an NFL worst ratio of 21 touchdowns to just six interceptions, the Colts will almost certainly be looking to address their secondary in the offseason. Banks is a lanky, playmaking corner well-versed in press coverage.
Top needs:
OL, RB, CB.

25) Green Bay (8-4) -- Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan, Sr.

The season-ending hip injury to Packers' right tackle Bryan Bulaga exposed the team's lack of talent and depth on the offensive line. Fisher's the biggest sleeper in this mock. It can take a while to get around him at 6-8, because he uses his arms so effectively. He often can make it look easy in the MAC but also looked great when Central Michigan faced top competition.
Top needs:
RB, CB, OL.

26) Chicago (8-4) -- Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame, Jr.

The 6-5, 249 pound Eifert is considered a more athletic version of past Irish tight ends Kyle Rudolph and John Carlson, each of whom were second round picks. A dynamic TE would really make this offense difficult to game plan for, considering it already features Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte.
Top needs:
OL, TE.

27) San Francisco (8-3-1) -- Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri, Jr.

The 49ers are already very talented, but could use some more depth in the trenches, especially with nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga in the final year of his contract. I expect them to look for flexible interior lineman Justin Smith can groom. Richardson is not only active against the run, but has the ability to disrupt the pocket in passing situations as well. Aldon Smith, another Mizzou product, has worked out pretty well for the Niners so far.
Top needs:
CB, S, DL.

28) Denver (9-3) -- Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas, Sr.

The Broncos' young corners have played well alongside Champ Bailey, but safety help is needed because Michael Adams isn't the answer. Vaccaro has managed to shine even as Texas has struggled. Adept in coverage and against the run, he has the size to attack the line of scrimmage like an extra linebacker but can line up in coverage inside or out wide and hold his own. It's a toss up between Vaccaro, LSU's Eric Reid and Florida's Matt Elam for the top safety prospect.
Top needs:
DT, S

29) New England (9-3) -- Barrett Jones, OG, Alabama, Sr.

Let's see ... he can play all three positions on the offensive line and he was coached by Nick Saban. Sounds like a Bill Belichick player to me.
Top needs:
CB, OL.

30) Baltimore (9-3) -- Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA, Jr.

Ozzie Newsome will likely be looking for successors to Ray Lewis and Ed Reed in April. Barr was originally a running back, but has found his calling as a devastating pass rusher.
Top needs:
LB, S.

31) Atlanta (11-1) -- Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon, Sr.

John Abraham is no longer the threat off the edge he once was. The 6-5, 255-pound Jordan has natural pass rush skills and very good in coverage for a defensive end.
Top needs:
DL, RB.

32) Houston (11-1) -- Matt Elam, S, Florida, Jr.

Houston needs a boost in the secondary after allowing Chad Henne and Matthew Stafford to torch them in a span of five days. A good defensive back might be the missing link to a dominant defense. Elam doesn't look like much -- he's 5-10 and 202 pounds -- but he is the epitome of a player who plays bigger than he looks. It's hard not to appreciate the speed and force he plays with.
Top needs:
WR, OL, DB, LB.